On October 1, 2025, the highly anticipated luxury hotel, InterContinental Sapporo, opened its doors next to Nakajima Park in Sapporo. I had the chance to experience their talked-about afternoon tea in an extraordinary space on a high floor overlooking the Toyohira River. Here's a look at a special afternoon spent surrounded by high-quality sweets and Sapporo-style hospitality.

The impressive glass-walled exterior reflects the blue sky

InterContinental Sapporo opened in a prime location, just a 4-minute walk from Exit 1 of Nakajima-Koen Station on the Sapporo Municipal Subway, situated between Nakajima Park and the Toyohira River.

The beautiful logo displayed at the entrance

The hotel is operated by IHG Hotels & Resorts, which has hotels all over the world. In Japan, they manage many popular hotel brands besides InterContinental, such as Kimpton, Indigo, ANA Crowne Plaza, and Holiday Inn.

The beautiful space in front of the 9th-floor reception

From the entrance with its porte-cochère, take the elevator to the 9th-floor reception. Three distinct spaces are connected: a front lobby featuring a water basin, a fire lounge with a fireplace, and a lounge area filled with greenery.

The spatial design evokes the grand nature of Hokkaido

Materials from Hokkaido, such as Sapporo soft stone and wood from Hokuryu-cho in Uryu-gun, are used throughout the hotel.

The library also features a collection of works by Kan Yasuda

There was also a collection of works by sculptor Kan Yasuda, who is from Bibai City, Hokkaido. It's a nice idea to pick up an interesting book while enjoying a drink from the bar lounge.

The ceiling features artwork with a lilac motif

The afternoon tea is served at the Lounge & Bar "Norva." It's a space filled with natural light, offering views of the Toyohira River and the Sapporo cityscape.

A private room with a view of the Toyohira River inside the all-day dining restaurant "AuBlanc"

Additionally, two restaurants are located on the same floor. "AuBlanc," an all-day dining restaurant with a live kitchen and an open, airy feel thanks to its large windows overlooking the Toyohira River, and "SAWAKA," a contemporary kappo restaurant where you can savor your meal at the counter while watching the chefs' performance.

A prime seat by the window

Now, let's enjoy afternoon tea at "Norva."

"Seasonal Afternoon Tea" 6,800 yen (tax and service charge included)

The image shows a serving for two. The tray, with each scone, tart, and other sweets individually arranged, is so cute it's exciting. The savories, like sandwiches, are served on a separate plate, looking gorgeous and delicious!

Here's the menu for the "Seasonal Afternoon Tea" at 6,800 yen (tax and service charge included) that I had.

Two types of scones. One has Silk Sweet potato for an autumnal touch

The homemade scones have a delightful crunchy texture, and I enjoyed them with a generous amount of clotted cream and confiture. The gorgeous tarts were a given, but the baked goods like the financier and galette bretonne also had a deeply satisfying flavor.

The Kyoho grape parfait is delicately beautiful

There was also a parfait that looked like a work of art, with plenty of Kyoho grapes adorned with beautiful meringue. I was told it was inspired by Sapporo's "shime parfait" culture (eating a parfait to end a night out).

Savories with a mature flavor profile

This afternoon tea features many ingredients from Hokkaido, giving it a distinct Sapporo feel throughout. The sweets had a refreshing acidity balancing their sweetness, and the savories offered a variety of textures, making every bite a new delight.

Choose from 18 types of tea after sampling their aromas

You can choose your accompanying drink by looking at the actual tea leaves displayed in a wooden box. You can select from a wide array of teas and herbal teas, asking for staff recommendations or smelling the aromas. The InterContinental Sapporo's original tea, "Citrus Harmony," had a refreshing citrus scent that paired well with both the sweets and savories.

The sweets are as beautiful as blooming flowers

This time, the menu was full of autumnal flavors like chestnuts, pears, and grapes. The afternoon tea menu is planned to change with the seasons. I'd love to come back again and again to enjoy the flavors of each season and the view of the riverbank.

The spacious sofa seats are also very comfortable

And I got the feeling that both the afternoon tea and the lunch here are going to become very popular! I recommend booking early.

A stylish shop where you'll want to buy souvenirs

You can also purchase bread, cakes, and baked goods at the AuBlanc Boutique, located near the lounge. You can buy croissants and canelés to take home as souvenirs.

A Twin Classic room (42 sq.m.)

Let's take a look at the guest rooms! All 149 rooms are spacious, at 42 square meters or more. The views from the large windows, the subtle artwork, and the warm, sophisticated interior are impressive.

A King Premium room (50 sq.m.)

For those who want to enjoy their hotel stay even more, choosing a Premium room or higher with Club Lounge access is a great option.

The double basin with two sinks is a nice feature

The bathroom area is also spacious and functional. Both the bathtub and washing area are large, promising a relaxing bath time.

The Club InterContinental, a place to relax as if in your own living room

At the lounge, known as the Club InterContinental, you can enjoy breakfast, afternoon tea, cocktail hour, and nightcaps. It also has a private meeting room, and check-in/out at the lounge is possible.

The bedroom of a 1-Bedroom Suite (87 sq.m.)

Furthermore, there are three types of suites: the 1-Bedroom Suite, Junior Suite, and Serenity Suite. The largest, the Serenity Suite, is a spacious 160 square meters, able to meet a variety of needs.

A 20-meter long pool

There is also a pool with enjoyable views of Nakajima Park and Mt. Moiwa. In addition to regular pool use, morning poolside activities are available.

Besides poolside yoga, a notable offering is the relaxation program called "Floating Sound Bath." You lie on a mat floating in the pool and surrender yourself to the sound of singing bowls for a deeply healing experience.

A fitness gym with the latest equipment

Adjacent to the pool is a fitness gym, so you can work out during your stay. Even though you're in Sapporo, it feels like a luxury Asian resort in Bali or Koh Samui. A truly special hotel stay seems possible here.

Don't miss the sculpture at the 1st-floor entrance

The sculpture at the entrance is said to be inspired by a single flower blooming on the land of Hokkaido. It has a dramatic atmosphere, as if something is about to begin. I felt a sense of fulfillment from the thoughts of the creators embedded in each piece of art throughout the hotel and the subtle hospitality.

InterContinental Sapporo opened on October 1, 2025. It's a hotel that is luxurious, stylish, and offers an extraordinary experience where transparency and substance coexist. When you want to spend a truly special time, be sure to visit.